If you see dragons, kings and queens and someone in a full suit of armor this weekend, don't be surprised. You haven't stepped into a time warp, it's time again for the annual Doña Ana Arts Council Renaissance Craftfaire. For a couple days each November, Las Cruces undergoes a transformation as the Renaissance is reborn and Young Park becomes the "Realm of Doña Ana." The fair, in its 32nd year, is a two-day event featuring music, dancing and re-enactments, as well as food and arts and crafts. "It's probably the biggest party in Las Cruces," Arts Council board member and New Mexico State University theater faculty member Jim Billings said. Billings is in charge of the design and layout of the park. "It's really satisfying to see it come together," he said. "We start out with a blank park, and by Saturday it becomes its own little town." The "town" is set on the rolling, green hills of the park and various booths and stages are set around a lake with a dragon in it. The setting, booths, costumed fair-goers and actors contribute to the authentic Renaissance atmosphere of the fair. One of the main highlights of the event is the array of arts and crafts. "Artists come from all over," Billings said. "There's some really great stuff there. It's perfect timing for the event, because people are starting to think of Christmas gifts." More than 160 artists from New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, California, Colorado and Oklahoma, among other states, will sell their wares, ranging from stained glass, pottery, leather goods, paintings, jewelry, photography, textiles and wood. Entertainment at the festival will feature re-enactments of Renaissance era activities, such as, jousting and royal processions. Other entertainment will include juggling and comedy by Jeffrey Daymont of Longbeach, Calif. Daymont will perform at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day on the main stage. Actors from the NMSU Department of Theatre Arts will perform "A Fifteen Minute Shakespeare," written by NMSU theater professor Tom Smith at 1 p.m. each day on the main stage. The play is an adaptation of the play "Hamlet." Renaissance Craftfaire Queen Sherry White will entertain at the "Merry Court of Sherwood Oak," located on the southeast corner of the park. The "Merry Court" will feature dancing, music and a Renaissance fashion show. Another attraction at the fair will be award-winning artist Bob Diven's "Ratapult." Diven will launch rats several times a day and also will give history lessons about the Renaissance era. The fair will also feature HawkQuest Birds of Prey, an educational booth featuring various birds of prey. A wide array of food will be available at the fair, including, turkey legs, roasted and grilled corn, Teriyaki chicken, barbecue, slouvakia, enchiladas, pizza, bratwurst and German potato salad, hot dogs, hamburgers and fries. The fair is the largest event sponsored by the Doña Ana Arts Council. The council is a non-profit organization designed to promote the arts in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County. Many of the participants in the fair are various local non-profit organizations, including student groups. "One thought about the fair is how important the NMSU students and faculty are to the success of the event," Arts Council program coordinator Kathleen Albers said. "Associated Students of NMSU has approved the Renaissance Craftfaire as a community service project for campus organizations for many years. Each year we have a hundred or so students who sign up to help in the parking lot, at the gates collecting donations, and other duties." Albers said, "One reason the fair is so successful is because it is a true community event where lots and lots of volunteers come together, have a great time and make a contribution to a worthy cause." The Renaissance Craftfaire will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Young Park. The park is located one block south of the intersection at Lohman Avenue and Walnut Avenue Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 12.
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